Goals for the trip
Every summer I try to do a couple things that I haven’t done. First, I like to play at a new venue. This year, we were able to visit and play at the Orleans. It was overall a nice venue and I wouldn’t be against going back. I also try to play a tournament of a game I have never played live before. This year - after my quick exit from the Wynn Seniors tournament - I ubered over to Resorts World to enter the Omaha 8 / Stud 8 mixed tournament. I have played a Stud 8 tournament but this was the first time I have played a true, mix of games, tournament.
Resorts World is very nice and the dealers were competent in the game. 8 games of each are played before switching back to the other. I am much better at Stud 8 than I am O8. That said, I held my own and finished 31st out of 79 runners.
The Seniors Bracelet Tournament
The First Lady and I try to theme our trip each year. 2 years ago was the Tag Team year and last year was Ladies Week. This year, I convinced my cousin John and close friend Kevin to join me in the Seniors Championship event with me being a newly minted senior.
The tournament was one of the most fun I have played - and for a lot of reasons. First, It was my first time playing against all seniors though the Galveston VFW game has given me some amount of practice over the years. Second, after dusting off half of my stack early when my set became garbage to a turned straight, I went on a bit of a sun run. I spent most of the day being the chip leader at my table and with the 1 hour blind structure, was able to do, for the most part, as I wished.
I finished day 1 with 179,500 which was well above average. I also managed to bust the biggest name ever for me in Terry Fleischer.
How hot is too hot?
Since I was able to get my day 1 through on flight A and didn’t have to fire another bullet into the flight B the next day, Adrienne and I decided to take the day off while John and Kevin worked the flight B.
We rented a car for the day and headed for Red Rock Canyon. Although it was around 112 degrees in Las Vegas, up in the mountains it was a cool sunny 98.
We have hiked many places around the world from rice patties in Vietnam, The jungles of Thailand, and Death Valley itself. Nothing compared to what we endured on this short 3 mile hike. It was an exhausting, unsteady scramble up to a dry waterfall (this is what they call a rock that sometimes is the host of falling water). On the way out, we decided that if we are fortunate enough to make it out alive, this would be the end of our hiking for the trip.
By the time we got back to our hotel, we passed out - sun burnt.
Day 2 - Seniors Championship
The new WSOP+ app allows you to view your competition at the table. I was able to see that the person to my immediate left had 575,000 chips! This was going to be difficult to navigate. As I scrolled further, a name caught my eye…. Juanda.
Yes. John Juanda was going to be at my table. 5 WSOP bracelets - Hall of Famer John Juanda.
When I got to my seat, I was thrilled to see that the very pleasant man to my left had 57,500 chips instead of the aforementioned half a million plus. So now, as I saw it, I just had to deal with the Hall of Famer.
Mr. Juanda, John as he insisted I call him, could not be a more professional and pleasant human being. He was very courteous to the dealers, his table mates and his masseuse. He was even smiles and modest while making his exit after I busted him.
It shouldn’t be a big thing for me as I know inferior opponents can win one hand very easily. But this is one I will never forget. I had a moment to take a photo and I know John wouldn’t have minded it. However, I chose discretion as I would want it against me. It was a simple hand in where I opened 99, John 3! jammed from the BB, and I called and ran clean against his AK. The idea that it isn’t every day that you have the chance to send a HOFer to the rail held more than zero weight in my decision.
The Suffering
In every tournament (that you don’t win), there seems to be a slippery slope of set backs. After running my stack to over 450,000 which was almost double the average stack, I ran JJ into AA, I flopped Top and Bottom only to have my opponent turn either better 2 or broadway?!? Then I lost AJs to A8o. The last of it was me shoving my 9 bigs in on the button and the BB was holding AA.
This colossal 1 hour beating took a toll on my psyche. I had just made my biggest cash in the event I have had my eyes on for years. I performed beyond expectations and it was eating me up.
After some perspective, and watching Kevin finish up his run, I am able to let it be and see it for another great experience. The ups and downs are part of tournament poker. Probably the best part.
The Rest
The rest of the trip had us at the aforementioned Orleans where Adrienne ran to dinner break but couldn’t catch a break with her hooks against AK and bubbled the event. The next and final day had us at Aria for a one day. I really like playing there but have never had much for results. That day was no different and our trip was in the books.
Another great one. Now it’s time to sweat Joe Schwenk, Ryan Conner, and of course Dave Paukovitz as they make their way out west. Good luck guys!
Sounds like yall had a great time. Congrats on taking out a 5 bracelet winner. A pelt for Mikie.
Nice Job Mike!! I think the hardest thing in long tournaments is keeping your emotions in check through the ups and downs, bad beats and suck outs!!